Lenten roses, Helebores, accent a bench on a rainy February day at VanDusen Botanical Garden, Vancouver, B.C.
Snowdrops glisten with February's raindrops.
Garden Chores for February
Curly Cress Peppergrass seedlings.
In This Issue
Chinese witch hazel, Hamamelis mollis. Click on the pic for more info.
Garden Classes - February Garden Stars - February's Floral Arrangement - February Garden Chores
Frost & Snow - Soil Heaving - Dead Plants - Sow Seeds Indoors - Sow Seeds Outdoors
Winter Pruning - What to Prune Now - Lawn Care - Improving Soil & Liming - Lasagna Gardening & Raised Beds
Warm Soil - Time to Plant - Kale - Cover Crops - Kill Overwintering Insects & Diseases
Slugs & Snails - Weeds - Overwintering Geraniums & Tropicals - Dahlias & Begonias
Critters in the Garden - Birds & Hummingbirds - February's Plant of the Month: Crocuses
Frost & Snow - Soil Heaving - Dead Plants - Sow Seeds Indoors - Sow Seeds Outdoors
Winter Pruning - What to Prune Now - Lawn Care - Improving Soil & Liming - Lasagna Gardening & Raised Beds
Warm Soil - Time to Plant - Kale - Cover Crops - Kill Overwintering Insects & Diseases
Slugs & Snails - Weeds - Overwintering Geraniums & Tropicals - Dahlias & Begonias
Critters in the Garden - Birds & Hummingbirds - February's Plant of the Month: Crocuses
Floating lenten roses blossoms (Helleborus) at VanDusen Botanical Gardens.
Fellow Gardeners..
Winter isn't over yet.
Hello Fellow Gardeners,
The sun is coming back to town! It’s been having a grand old time in Australia; making plants grow and giving people tans, while we’ve been sitting here in the Northern Hemisphere getting chilly and living in the dark – but not for long. It’s February and the sun, although it’s still weak, hangs in the sky a little higher and a little longer. Way to go sunshine! We are not out of the woods yet, after all, it’s only February. Snow is predicted this month. We’ve been lucky so far this winter as it hasn’t snowed in Metro Vancouver, but it has in the mountains, which is is a good thing. Besides, it’s not really winter if we don’t get snow – right? Especially in Canada. I admit I am always a bit nervous at this time of the year, especially if the weather has been mild, which it has been. There’s just been a touch of frost so many plants haven’t gone into full dormancy yet, which means they won’t be ready for any severe cold. That’s what we had last year in mid-January. Many plants still thought it was autumn, but they got a rude awakening when an arctic cold front swept over the province. Early spring plants failed to flower while others kicked the bucket, so, yes, I am nervous. Let’s just hope that Old Man Winter behaves! Cheers, Amanda February's Arrangement
February 2025
Primroses, ferns, heather, crocus and skimmias make for an early springtime arrangement. For a numbered guide to the specific flower names and for other arrangements go to Monthly Flower Arrangements.
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SUBSCRIBE
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Garden Videos
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Tropical Gardeners
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Click on the pic above for Amanda's Garden YouTube Channel.
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Check out this beautiful & informative reference book on tropical shrubs. Click on the pic for more.
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Gardening Classes in Langley
Learn how to prune.
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Lawn care.
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Prepare for spring.
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Grow food organically.
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Location: Credo Christian High School 21846 52 Ave., Langley.
Click on the coloured links below or the pics above to be redirected to the Fraser Valley Continuing Education website.
Pruning the Right Way: Theory in the morning, practicum outside in the afternoon. Includes fruit trees, roses, hydrangeas and more. Select either Feb 8 or Feb 22, 2025, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm, $59.99. Bring a lunch & your pruning tools!
Lawn Care: Grow a green & healthy lawn that resists lawn grubs with correct growing techniques. Learn how to repair damaged lawns & install new ones. March 8, 2025, 9:30 am to 12:00 pm, $29.99.
Grow Your Own Food Naturally: From sowing seeds indoors to planting outdoors, learn how to grow healthy and productive crops without the use of synthetic products. April 5, 2025, 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, $59.99. Bring a lunch!
Preparing for Spring: There's lots to do in the garden, learn where to start and what to do, including how to plant, organic pest control, tree care, other gardening techniques. Mar 8 2025, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, $29.99.
Click on the coloured links below or the pics above to be redirected to the Fraser Valley Continuing Education website.
Pruning the Right Way: Theory in the morning, practicum outside in the afternoon. Includes fruit trees, roses, hydrangeas and more. Select either Feb 8 or Feb 22, 2025, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm, $59.99. Bring a lunch & your pruning tools!
Lawn Care: Grow a green & healthy lawn that resists lawn grubs with correct growing techniques. Learn how to repair damaged lawns & install new ones. March 8, 2025, 9:30 am to 12:00 pm, $29.99.
Grow Your Own Food Naturally: From sowing seeds indoors to planting outdoors, learn how to grow healthy and productive crops without the use of synthetic products. April 5, 2025, 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, $59.99. Bring a lunch!
Preparing for Spring: There's lots to do in the garden, learn where to start and what to do, including how to plant, organic pest control, tree care, other gardening techniques. Mar 8 2025, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, $29.99.
February Garden Stars
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Chinese witch hazel, Hamamelis mollis, 10 - 15ft tall & wide, fragrant blooms Jan to March, sun to part shade. Zones 5 to 8. Click on the pic for more info.
Dwarf iris, Iris reticulata, 3 to 5", sun to part shade, spring flowering bulb. Zones 5 to 8.
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Dawn viburnum, V. x bodnantense 'Dawn', deciduous shrub, 8 to 10ft x 4 to 6ft, full sun, part shade. Zones 5 to 7. Click on the pic for more.
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Japanese skimmia, S. japonica, broadleaf evergreen, 3-4' x 4-5'. Fragrant flowers winter, spring. Female plants bear red berries. Part to full shade. Zones 6 to 8. Click on pic for more.
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Buttercup winter hazel, Corylopsis pauciflora, deciduous shrub, 4 -6', fragrant, full sun to part shade. Zones 6 to 8. Click on the pic for more.
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Spring starflower, Ipheion uniflorum, 6 to 8 inches, spring flowering bulb, sun to part shade, fragrant blooms & foliage, summer dormancy, naturalizes. Zones 5 to 9
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Himalayan sweetbox, Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis, broadleaf evergreen, 2-5' x 2-6', part shade to shade, fragrant flowers, black berries. Zones 6 to 8. Click on the pic for more.
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Oregon grape holly, Mahonia aquifolium, broadleaf evergreen, 3-6 ft x 2 ft, yellow spring flowers, red fall foliage, sun, part shade. Zones 5 to 9. Click on pic for more.
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Winter heath, Erica carnea, 1' x 2', blooms from Dec to April, sun to light shade, broadleaf evergreen, ground cover, Zones 5 to 8. Click on the pic for more.
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Dutch crocus, Crocus vernus, low growing spring flowering corm in Feb, March, sun to part shade. Zones 3 to 9. Click on pic for more.
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Rainbow dog hobble, Leucothoe fontanesiana 'Rainbow', broadleaf evergreen, 3-5' x 1.5', part sun, May flowers. Zones 5 to 9. Click on the pic for more.
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Wintergreen, Gaultheria procumbens, broadleaf evergreen groundcover, 6” x 1’, white blooms June to July, red berries fall to winter, part shade to shade. Zones 3 to 8. Click on pic for more.
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Strawberry tree, Arbutus unedo 'Compacta', broadleaf evergreen, 10’-20’ tall & wide, fragrant flowers Oct to Dec, fruit resembles strawberries. Zones 7 to 9. Click on the pic for more.
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Winter aconite, Eranthis hyemalis, spring bulb, 6", plant in fall, sun to part shade. Zones 3 to 7.
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February Garden Chores
Click on any coloured items below to be redirected.
Crocus don't mind February's snow.
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A Penny's Pink Lenten rose (Hellebore). Click on pic for more.
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Be prepared. It still could snow.
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February is a dodgy month. It usually starts off in winter mode and ends up all springy. Here, in southern coastal British Columbia, hardiness zone 8, the weather is unpredictable. From balmy temperatures to severe cold, from torrential rain to scads of snow; it’s a crapshoot. This means that getting anything done in the garden depends on what’s going on outside. Some of them will have to wait for the conditions to improve, and when it boils down to it, the beginning of the gardening season depends on which climate you garden in.
Have a walk in the garden just to make sure everything is okay.
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Once upon a time, this evergreen was tall, narrow and quite elegant.
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Release bulb foliage tied up in leafy mulch.
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Walk the Garden: Just because it's February, it doesn't mean that the garden doesn't need you. Unburden shrubs that have been crushed and disfigured by the weight of heavy snow. Unblock drains to prevent flooding and firm soil around plants and spring bulbs that have heaved themselves out of the soil due to fluctuating temperatures.
This daylily didn't mind winter re-appearing late February as it bloomed with gusto.
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This Mexican mock orange, Choisya ternata, failed to flower. Click on pic for more.
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Use friendly de-icer instead of salt.
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Beware of Frost – It’s only February so the threat of frost is real. Once plants begin to break dormancy, the flower buds of camellias, rhodos, flowering dogwoods, ornamental cherries and other early flowering plants will die if it drops below minus 4C (25F). Keep an eye on the weather forecast and cover any early flowering plants if possible. Use fabric, such as frost blankets and old sheets. Avoid plastic as it has no insulating value and promotes rotting. To keep roots warmer, place at least 3 inches of organic mulch on top of the soil and around plants.
Icy Paths & Driveways: To avoid injuring lawns, plants and contaminating soil, don’t use salt to de-ice hard surfaces. Use sand or a green alternative that is non-toxic to plants, soil and animals.
Icy Paths & Driveways: To avoid injuring lawns, plants and contaminating soil, don’t use salt to de-ice hard surfaces. Use sand or a green alternative that is non-toxic to plants, soil and animals.
Temperature fluctuations f the soil easily dislodges spring bulbs. Click on pic for more.
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Mulch made of fall leaves insulates & protects the soil.
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Be patient as this Mexican mock orange looked dead, but it did survive.
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Soil Heaving: When temperatures seesaw between hot and cold, plant roots become dislodged as the soil contracts and expands. When walking around the garden, inspect emerging spring flowering bulbs and other plants to see if they are wiggling out of the ground. If so, push them back in and cover with a few inches of fallen leaves or another mulch.
Dead Plants: Wait to remove dead plants as their roots may still be alive - and don't cut them back - yet. Wait until after the danger of frost has passed as the dead growth protects plants from further freezing. If there is any green growth, no matter how small, the plant is still alive. Be patient as it just might surprise you.
Dead Plants: Wait to remove dead plants as their roots may still be alive - and don't cut them back - yet. Wait until after the danger of frost has passed as the dead growth protects plants from further freezing. If there is any green growth, no matter how small, the plant is still alive. Be patient as it just might surprise you.
Read seed packets for instructions on when and how to plant.
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This set up included lighting on a timer and propagating heating mat.
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Sow petunia seeds indoors in February & March.
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These broccoli seedlings were started indoors under grow lights.
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Sowing seeds indoors: Now is the time to sow frost tender and slow growing plants inside such as tomatoes and petunias. This gives them time to mature so they will be ready to plant outside after the last frost date in mid to late May. Feel free to sow lettuce and other cold hardy crops indoors. This gives them a head start away from fluctuating temperatures, bad weather, slugs and other predators. To learn more about growing seeds indoors click on Seeding Indoors.
For hardier, cool season crops and flowers, sow the following seeds indoors now to plant outside in February, March & April: broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, collards, kale, leeks, lettuce, Swiss chard, fennel, leek, onions, parsley, artichoke, pansies, columbine and sweet peas.
For hardier, cool season crops and flowers, sow the following seeds indoors now to plant outside in February, March & April: broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, collards, kale, leeks, lettuce, Swiss chard, fennel, leek, onions, parsley, artichoke, pansies, columbine and sweet peas.
Without adequate lighting, these broccoli seedlings are leggy & stretched
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These stocky kale seedlings benefited from extra lighting.
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Sudden collapse of seedlings is caused by damping off disease.
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Success with Indoor Seeding: The critical necessities for strong healthy seedlings are extra lighting, sterile seed starting potting soil and warmth. Without the correct conditions, seeds don’t germinate and if they do, they can wither overnight or be spindly, pathetic specimens. To learn the techniques and tips for robust seedlings and how to prevent them from suddenly dying overnight with damping off disease, click on Starting Seeds Indoors.
Seed & Plant Catalogues: If you haven't ordered your seeds and plants from catalogues yet do so asap. Check out this list of mostly Canadian sources.
Seed & Plant Catalogues: If you haven't ordered your seeds and plants from catalogues yet do so asap. Check out this list of mostly Canadian sources.
Don't sow seeds in soggy soil.
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Seeds will rot in the soil if it's too cold.
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Sow peas outside as soon as conditions are suitable.
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Radishes are a fast crop that are sown directly into the soil.
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Sow Seeds Outdoors: Before you get all excited and shove seeds into the ground, check to make sure the conditions are suitable for successful germination & subsequent growth. Squeeze a handful of soil and if it drips water, then it’s too wet so don’t plant. Use a thermometer to check the temperature of the soil. It should be at least 10 °C (50°F). Another good indicator that it’s safe to plant peas, kale and other cool crops, is to wait for the weeds to actively start to grow. Read the instructions on seed packets before planting. For more on direct sowing click on Sowing Seeds Outdoors.
Don't prune plants after they have just leafed out. Buttercup winterhazel pictured. Click on pic for more.
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Suckers have replaced the branches of this poor topped tree - tsk, tsk.
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Wait to prune lilacs & other spring flowering plants after they have finished flowering.
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Always remove dead growth asap!
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Winter Pruning
- Avoid pruning plants when they have broken dormancy, and have already leafed out. Removing all their new foliage means they must use their limited resources to replace them.
- Don’t prune spring blooming plants now such as forsythia, camellia and rhododendrons as you will be removing their flowers.
- To prevent diseases, don’t prune maple and birch trees when they are dormant, wait until mid-summer.
- Don’t prune when plants are wet or when it's raining, as it spreads diseases whilst branches and tools become slippery and are difficult to use.
- Only remove ¼ of growth at each pruning. Plants, even mature trees, may not survive if too much is taken off.
- Don't be afraid that tall trees will fall down as their roots spread out much further than the tree's canopy. Remove branches at their base if they are too low down and in the way or shorten them by cutting them back to a side branch. Don’t cut all tree branches back (topping, hat-racking) as weak, ugly suckers take their place. For more on pruning click on Winter Pruning.
Tame wisterias now & in the summer.
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Cut back butterfly bushes by a third to keep them compact.
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Prune rose of Sharon for more branches & flowers.
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What to Prune Now: Prune while they are still dormant and only if they need it. Always remove dead, diseased branches and suckers first: wisterias, grapes, butterfly bush, red twig dogwoods, Rose of Sharon, potentilla, crepe myrtles, oaks, lindens, boxwood, holly and Oregon grape holly. Generally conifers, pine, spruce, juniper don't require pruning, but if they need it do so now, before new growth emerges. Cut back heather after they have finished flowering. Cut back ornamental grasses to make way for new growth. Click on Clematis to learn when to prune different varieties. Wait for the forsythias to bloom before pruning your roses.
Hire Certified Arborists: When looking for professional help, make sure they are certified by the International Society of Arborists (ISA). Check their previous pruning jobs and if they are in good standing with WorkSafe. Don’t hire them if they agree to top trees as that is a definite no-no.
Learn How to Prune Your Plants in Your Garden: If pruning your own plants seems a bit daunting, and you don't know where to start, Amanda will show you how to do it in your own garden! Take the fear and uncertainty out of pruning your trees and shrubs. Your plants will thank you. For more information and to make an appointment click here.
Hire Certified Arborists: When looking for professional help, make sure they are certified by the International Society of Arborists (ISA). Check their previous pruning jobs and if they are in good standing with WorkSafe. Don’t hire them if they agree to top trees as that is a definite no-no.
Learn How to Prune Your Plants in Your Garden: If pruning your own plants seems a bit daunting, and you don't know where to start, Amanda will show you how to do it in your own garden! Take the fear and uncertainty out of pruning your trees and shrubs. Your plants will thank you. For more information and to make an appointment click here.
Er, don't drive or park vehicles on the lawn.
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Keep off soggy lawns.
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Avoid lawn grubs with proper maintenance.
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It's too early to apply high nitrogen fertilizers.
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Keep off frosty lawns.
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Lawns: It’s still a bit too early to tend to the lawn. Wait until March or April when the grass actively starts to grow (when soil temperatures reach 10°C (50°F)), and it isn’t soggy underfoot to fertilize, seed, sod and repair existing lawns. Avoid applying high nitrogen fertilizers now as it promotes lush growth at the expense of root development. For sickly sad lawns, get a soil test done to find out what the problem is. For more info click on Spring Lawn Care - Lawn Maintenance Schedule - Lawn Grub Control - Lawn Reno, Seed & Sod - Moss in Lawns - Lawn Alternatives
Grow your own food without chemicals.
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Plan your veggie garden.
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Practice companion planting.
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To know more about growing tomatoes, click on the picture.
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Prepping Veggie Beds: There’s lots to do before actual planting begins. Planning the beds is a priority as crops shouldn’t be planted in the same place as last year (crop rotation). Practice companion planting to increase yields, to make the most of available space and to deter pests for healthy, nutritious crops that also resist pests and diseases. For more information select Spring Veggie Gardening and Growing Food and Crop Rotation, Succession & Companion Planting
Compost is the best soil amendment!
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Don't forget to weed veggie beds before adding anything.
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Lime the soil before planting cole crops, like cauliflower.
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Don't lime the soil where potatoes are to grow.
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Improve the Soil: To grow healthy and nutritious crops, enrich the soil with a few inches of compost, rotted leaves or other organic matter after removing any weeds and debris. But before you do, wait until the soil dries out so a handful of soil doesn’t drip when squeezed.
Lime or not to lime: Apply Dolopril lime to the soil where cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli and other cole crops will be planted to prevent club root. However, do not add lime to the soil in the potato bed as it promotes potato scab. For more info click on Growing Potatoes.
Lime or not to lime: Apply Dolopril lime to the soil where cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli and other cole crops will be planted to prevent club root. However, do not add lime to the soil in the potato bed as it promotes potato scab. For more info click on Growing Potatoes.
There's no need to dig up the lawn when using sheet mulching.
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Beds made with sheet mulching are easy to make & are productive.
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Raised veggie beds are easy to maintain.
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New Beds & Bigger Beds: If your garden is too small or you need a brand new garden but it's too much work and you don't want to dig up the lawn, there's an easy, no-dig method called lasagna gardening. A more accurate term in 'sheet mulching'. To learn how click on Lasagna Gardening.
Raised Beds: It’s easier to plant, tend and harvest crops when they are raised above the ground and as an added bonus, the soil warms up faster in the spring. Click on Spring Veggie Gardening for more.
Raised Beds: It’s easier to plant, tend and harvest crops when they are raised above the ground and as an added bonus, the soil warms up faster in the spring. Click on Spring Veggie Gardening for more.
Encourage warmer soil by covering it with plastic.
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Raised beds reduce maintenance.
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Keep soil & plants warmer & pest free with a cloche. Click on the pic for more.
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Warm Soil: There are numerous ways to get a jump on planting including raised beds, using cloches or stretching plastic on top of the soil. Remove the plastic before planting and mix in two or more inches of compost or other organic soil amendments.Wait a week then plant. For more on veggie gardening click on Growing Food.
Time to Plant? Planting too early leads to rotting seeds and veggie plants that wither before they have a chance to grow. Wait for the soil to warm to 10 °C (50°F) and the soil isn’t a soggy mess. Plant lettuce, peas, spinach, radish, kohlrabi, rhubarb and other cool season crops, for more info click on Spring Veggie Gardening.
Time to Plant? Planting too early leads to rotting seeds and veggie plants that wither before they have a chance to grow. Wait for the soil to warm to 10 °C (50°F) and the soil isn’t a soggy mess. Plant lettuce, peas, spinach, radish, kohlrabi, rhubarb and other cool season crops, for more info click on Spring Veggie Gardening.
Kale's spring foliage & flowers are tender and sweet.
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Crimson clover is a pretty cover crop that builds soil & adds nitrogen.
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Once the cover crop has been chopped up, it is referred to as green manure.
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Kale: Don’t pull up and discard last year’s kale plants as their new foliage is tender & tasty. Allow them to flower for bees & other pollinators. Collect the resulting free seeds or pick the flowers & use them in salads.
Cover Crops: Wait to cut them down and dig them into the soil approximately least two weeks before you want to plant your veggies, which is usually around March/April. Use a line trimmer or scythe to cut them back starting from the top of the plant and work your way down. This creates smaller pieces that will quickly decompose. Dig or rototill the remaining roots and stems into the soil. Water well then wait to plant until all the ‘green manure’ is decomposed. Here’s more on Cover Crops.
Cover Crops: Wait to cut them down and dig them into the soil approximately least two weeks before you want to plant your veggies, which is usually around March/April. Use a line trimmer or scythe to cut them back starting from the top of the plant and work your way down. This creates smaller pieces that will quickly decompose. Dig or rototill the remaining roots and stems into the soil. Water well then wait to plant until all the ‘green manure’ is decomposed. Here’s more on Cover Crops.
Dogwood anthracnose.
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Magnolia scale insects.
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Dormant oil, lime sulfur kit.
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Spray plants while they are still dormant.
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Kill Insects & Diseases Now: Protect your fruit trees, ornamental cherries, roses and other deciduous trees and shrubs from caterpillars, scab and other overwintering insects and diseases with a dormant oil & lime sulfur combo. Do this while they are still dormant, before leaves and flowers appear. Dormant oil kits are available at garden centers and home hardware stores. To learn more about applying dormant oil and lime sulfur, click here.
Primroses are easy prey for hungry slugs.
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Corn gluten kills seeds as they germinate.
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Control bindweed by pulling, not digging.
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Pull horsetails out of the ground as soon as they poke through.
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Slug & Snails: Protect plants, especially seedlings and new plants, with copper mesh, slug bait or hand pick them on rainy days and at night. Pop them in a cup full of salty water then discard.
Kill Weed Seeds: Apply corn gluten to lawns and garden beds to kill germinating weed seeds. It’s organic and adds a touch of nitrogen at the same time. Don’t apply it to any area where desirable seeds have been sown.
Weeds: If they are not hiding under the snow, go get ‘em before they multiply. This is especially important when horsetail and bindweed have invaded your garden. Yank them out as soon as they poke their heads out of the soil. Don’t dig them out, pull them as digging them up spreads them even more – argh. For more click on Horsetails.
Kill Weed Seeds: Apply corn gluten to lawns and garden beds to kill germinating weed seeds. It’s organic and adds a touch of nitrogen at the same time. Don’t apply it to any area where desirable seeds have been sown.
Weeds: If they are not hiding under the snow, go get ‘em before they multiply. This is especially important when horsetail and bindweed have invaded your garden. Yank them out as soon as they poke their heads out of the soil. Don’t dig them out, pull them as digging them up spreads them even more – argh. For more click on Horsetails.
This overwintered pink firecracker geranium needs some TLC.
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Remove all dead, sickly and puny stems.
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Gently loosen roots before repotting.
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All cut back and repotted.
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It doesn't take long for geraniums to flower.
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Overwintered Geraniums, Fuchsias, Coleus & Tropicals: Once they start to perk up and grow new leaves it’s time to prep them for the growing season. Remove all dead growth as well as anything that is dying, yellow, brown, spindly and any flowers. Cut back all remaining stems by a half. Remove debris from the soil surface, then repot the plant in fresh potting soil and slow release plant food. Water well and place in a bright location out of direct light for a few days until they perk up, they place it under grow lights or in front of a sunny window. This will give plants time to bulk up before they go outside. For more click on Overwintering Tropicals.
For early blooms, pot up dahlias now. Nadia Ruth pictured.
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A healthy dahlia is retrieved from storage.
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Soak shrivelled dahlias & hopefully they will plump up.
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Don't forget to check on your stored begonia tubers.
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This tuberous begonia is ready to repot.
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Dahlias: Check your stored dahlias and remove any rotten ones and soak dried ones overnight. Depending on how far they’ve dried out, they may or may not plump up. Discard any that don’t. To learn more about growing dahlias, the different flower types, staking, how to store them over winter, click on Dahlias. For a video on an easy way to divide dahlias, click on Dividing Dahlias.
Tuberous Begonias: Check on stored tubers and pot up those that have sprouted. Discard those that have rotted.
Tuberous Begonias: Check on stored tubers and pot up those that have sprouted. Discard those that have rotted.
Bunny's are on the hunt for food this time of year.
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A rabbit is probably responsible for these nibbled tulip leaves.
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Wire mesh protects a wee tree from a wee deer.
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Deers have eaten the bottom part of the cedar hedge.
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Critters in the Garden: As we ease out of winter, squirrels, raccoons and other animals are in need of food for themselves and for their upcoming broods. The fresh new leaves of tulips and other spring bulbs seem to be one of their favourite treats. There are numerous ways to deter these hungry critters.
A Northern Flicker appreciates the suet.
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An upside funnel helps keep the squirrels away.
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A woollen sock helps keep hummingbird nectar a tad warmer.
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Birds: Suet and birdseed feed hungry birds through the winter and brings our feathered friends and their delightful birdsong into the garden. Discard mouldy seeds and clean feeders before refilling with fresh birdseed. Hang a cage of suet for a tasty, high protein treat for the birdies.
Hummingbirds: Keep active feeders stocked and disinfect before refilling. Make your own nectar with 1/4 cup of plain white sugar to 1 cup of boiling water and allow to cool. Bring in their feeders when temperatures dip to -3 C. For more info click on Hummingbirds in Winter.
Hummingbirds: Keep active feeders stocked and disinfect before refilling. Make your own nectar with 1/4 cup of plain white sugar to 1 cup of boiling water and allow to cool. Bring in their feeders when temperatures dip to -3 C. For more info click on Hummingbirds in Winter.
Daffodils galore at Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver, B.C.
February's Plant of the month
Crocuses
Striped Beauty, a Dutch hybrid crocus.
A colony of yellow Dutch hybrid crocuses.
Crocus flowers have 6 cupped petals.
Brilliant yellow snow crocus.
Crocus flowers close at night and on cloudy days.
Brilliant yellow snow crocus.
A stunning display of mauve spring crocus.
Flowers open to reveal a ruffled golden stigma.
Snow crocus are aptly named.
Early Gold snow crocus.
Fall foliage protects overwintering crocus from critters & the weather.
Violet and white Dutch crocus.
One corm soon develops more cormels to form colonies.
Plant crocus in soils that drain well.
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Common Name: Snow, Dutch & Saffron crocus
Botanical Name: Crocus Form: short upright vase Family: Iridaceae Genus: Crocus Species: chrysanthus & vernus & sativus Plant Type: spring flowering bulb, herbaceous perennial Mature Size: up to 6 inches Hardiness Zone: 4 to Foliage: basal origin from corm, grass-like, linear, up to 18 cm long by 1-3 mm wide Flowers: fragrant, one per corm, Feb & March, white, purples, oranges, yellows, 3 petals, 3 sepals, 3 stamens and one style with three golden stigmas attached Fruit: insignificant small brown capsule Stems: underground Exposure: full sun to light shade Soil: well-drained, sandy, rocky Uses: containers, borders, small gardens, woodlands, in lawns, rock gardens Attracts: bees & other early pollinators Invasive Tendencies: their naturalizing tendencies is appreciated by gardeners Tolerates: drought, deer, black walnuts Propagation: seeds, cormels Problems: rodents, squirrels, slugs, snails Comments: Crocuses are always a welcome sight as their pretty cupped flowers are a sure sign that spring is on its way. It’s not just people that appreciate these cheery harbingers of spring, but bees do too. They need that early pollen and nectar, and don’t be surprised to see bumble bees sleep overnight in their closed blossoms. Crocus flowers are simple and beautiful with have six cupped petals that surround bright yellow stamens. Since they flower so early in the year, their close their flowers to protect themselves from the bad weather, but they open on sunny days. Crocus grow from small round corms that are flat on the top and at the bottom. Their slender, grass-like, linear green leaves linger for a few weeks after the flowers have faded, then they wither and die. Don’t cut them off when they are still green as it deprives them of food for next year’s blossoms. Numerous Species: There are over 100 crocus species and not all of them flower in the spring. Crocus speciosus bears 6 violet-blue petals that fade to white at the centre. Their violet veins resemble stripes that converge in the centre where there’s bright orange stamens. Snow crocus, Crocus chrysanthus: They are aptly named as their pretty, fragrant yellow goblet shaped flowers emerge when snow is still on the ground in February and March, 2 weeks before Dutch crocus blossom. Outside petals often bear maroon markings. Many cultivars and varieties exist. Some have vein striped petals, while others have petals with a different colour at their base or stripes on the outside of the petals. Originates from Europe, Bulgaria and Turkey. USDA growing zones 3 to 9. Dutch crocus, Crocus vernus, bear one large fragrant flower per corm and blossom in March and April, which is about two weeks after the snow crocus varieties (C. chrysanthus). Their grass-like leaves grow up to 6 inches in length and have a distinctive white stripe along their centres. Zones 3 to 8. There are many varieties and cultivars available. Petals can be one colour or be striped with colourful veins. There are many beautiful Dutch crocus varieties available. Dutch crocuses originated from the mountainous areas in Europe. USDA growing zones 3 to 9. Saffron crocus, Crocus sativus: This crocus species just happens to produce one of the most expensive spices in the world - saffron, and you can grow them in your own garden! Their orange string-like stigma strands are used as a spice and as a dye. Since each flower only produces three stigmas, many corms are needed to get a decent amount. Saffron crocus flowers have violet petals with deep purple bases and blue veins. Unlike most crocus, they flower in September and October. Originates from Greece and Iran. USDA growing zones 6 to 9. Planting & Care: In the autumn, select an area in full sun with soil that drains well. Plant corms about 3 to 4 inches deep and 4 inches apart, flat side down with the tiny, pointed end up. Crocus multiply over time as the corms develop baby corms (cormels) at their base. This makes them ideal to naturalize into sweeping drifts for dramatic displays. They are also suitable to plant in lawns. Wait to mow the lawn until the crocus leaves yellow, which is about 6 weeks after they blossom. 
Don't cut off their grassy foliage until it turns yellow.
A lawn planted with crocus.
Crocus flowers emerge directly from underground corms.
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